Sinopsis
The Fund Raising School is excited to launch the First Day Podcast from The Fund Raising School! Highlighting current news and research, this 10 minute podcast provides fundraisers with the latest information in fundraising and philanthropy. Be more informed and stay up to date with the First Day Podcast from The Fund Raising School!
Episodios
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Household Giving & A Growth Mindset
09/06/2024 Duración: 11minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. discusses the complexities of household charitable giving, aiming to dispel concerns regarding its purported decline. Stanczykiewicz begins by dissecting the oft-cited statistic that only 50% of households make charitable donations, suggesting that this figure may not accurately reflect the willingness of individuals to give. He challenges fundraisers to adopt a more inclusive approach, emphasizing the importance of reaching out to donors across all economic strata and recognizing the generosity of donors regardless of the size of their contributions. Furthermore, Stanczykiewicz explores alternative perspectives on household giving behavior, pointing to the phenomenon of "bunching" where donors strategically consolidate their contributions to maximize tax benefits. He highlights the significant increase in donor-advised funds as another factor influencing charitable giving patterns. Despite varying survey results, which paint a nuanced
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Presidential Elections Impact on Fundraising
02/06/2024 Duración: 18minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Patrick Rooney, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Economics and Philanthropy at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, to discuss the impact of presidential elections and other world events on charitable giving. Dr. Rooney shares insights from decades of research, revealing that presidential campaign contributions have a negligible effect on overall philanthropic donations. Despite record amounts spent on elections, these contributions remain a small fraction of total household giving, and people typically separate political donations from their charitable contributions. Dr. Rooney also addresses the effects of natural and man-made disasters on charitable giving. While such events often lead to a temporary increase in donations, this surge usually lasts only a few months and does not significantly impact long-term giving trends. He emphasizes that philanthropy is a core American value that persists through
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Major Gifts Are Not Enough
26/05/2024 Duración: 15minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Jessica Browning, MBA, Principal and Executive Vice President at the Winkler Group. They discuss the complexities surrounding major and mega gifts in fundraising. Jessica acknowledges the significant contributions of major donors like McKenzie Scott while also highlighting the pitfalls of over-reliance on such gifts. She underscores the danger of neglecting mid-level and smaller donors, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a diverse donor pipeline to sustain long-term fundraising success. Moreover, Jessica discusses the shifting trends in philanthropy, including increased giving from foundations and the impact of changes in tax laws on donor behavior. She stresses the need for fundraisers to educate their boards on the importance of donor retention and the value of inclusive fundraising practices. By focusing on stewardship and understanding donors' passions beyond surface-level interactions, organizations can cultiva
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Need New Donors? Look To Millennials
19/05/2024 Duración: 11minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sheds light on the evolving landscape of donor demographics, particularly focusing on Millennials. Contrary to common misconceptions, recent economic data suggests that Millennials are not only financially stable but thriving. They are emerging as significant donors, surpassing Generation X in charitable giving per household. One key indicator of Millennials' growing influence is their increasing homeownership rates, signaling stability and potential for increased charitable contributions. Surprisingly, Millennials also show a preference for traditional fundraising methods, particularly direct mail, amidst the digital age. Furthermore, research highlights Millennials' inclination towards cause-driven and relational giving, emphasizing hands-on involvement and impact in philanthropy. They seek meaningful engagement and are eager to contribute their expertise and resources to charitable causes. The podcast emphasizes the importance of
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Fundraising Together: The Power of Collaboration
12/05/2024 Duración: 18minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Diane Kaplan, Senior Fellow at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. In a revealing discussion on the nuances of nonprofit collaboration, Diane shares her insights from her extensive experience with the Rasmuson Foundation. She illustrates the power of strategic partnerships in leveraging the foundation’s impact far beyond its initial financial capabilities. Starting from its roots as a small bank in Alaska, the Foundation under Kaplan’s leadership, utilized collaboration as a key mechanism to expand its influence and effectiveness in serving the community. Kaplan elaborates on the Foundation’s strategic approach to broaden its reach and impact through active collaborations across Alaska and beyond. By initiating the "educational tour of Alaska for grantmakers," the Foundation not only showcased the unique challenges faced by the Alaskan communities but also successfully attracted substantial external fun
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New Data For Fundraising Campaigns
05/05/2024 Duración: 15minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Amy Eisenstein, ACFRE and Steven Shattuck of Capital Campaign Pro, a unique platform designed to revolutionize traditional fundraising campaign consulting. Capital Campaign Pro assists nonprofit leaders in running their capital campaigns by offering a robust support system that includes an online toolkit, expert advisory, and peer group coaching. Their innovative approach is centered around training leaders to conduct their own donor interviews, thus maintaining transparency and strengthening donor relationships, a stark contrast to conventional consultant-led interviews where a third-party intermediary might inhibit open communication. During the discussion, concerns about donor candidness in the presence of nonprofit representatives were addressed. Contrary to the worry that donors might withhold true opinions, Amy and Steven argued that direct interactions actually enhance dialogue authenticity and effectiveness. They a
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Donor Advised Funds: The Latest Data
28/04/2024 Duración: 17minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Danielle Vance-McMullen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at DePaul University and Dan Heist, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Brigham Young University shared key findings from their extensive research on Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). Conducted in collaboration with the Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative, their study included data from over 50,000 accounts and partnerships with 110 DAF sponsors. They uncovered that DAFs are predominantly utilized as mid-range philanthropic tools, with baby boomer generations being the primary contributors. Despite concerns about potential misuse for tax benefits, their analysis showed that only about one in nine accounts receive contributions annually, indicating broader philanthropic intentions. Furthermore, the research highlighted the frequency of grant distributions from DAFs, with over 60% of accounts making grants annually and about 80% within a three-year period. These grants support va
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Planned Gift Fundraising: Busting The Myths
21/04/2024 Duración: 18minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Christy Boysen, MA, CFRM, FCEP, the founding CEO of Apex Legacy Consulting, who has extensive experience in advising nonprofits on planned gifts. Boysen emphasized that while planned giving, such as setting up charitable remainder trusts, appears complex due to its involvement of various professionals like lawyers and financial advisors, the process can be simplified through collaborative efforts. She highlighted the benefits of planned giving not only for the donors, who can make significant tax-efficient contributions, but also for their families and the charities they choose to support. Throughout the discussion, the need for education and engagement in planned giving was stressed as essential for overcoming the common reluctance among fundraisers. Boysen suggested that fundraisers should be proactive in learning about different planned giving vehicles and engage with donors through open-ended questions that align with
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Donor Stewardship After The Event
14/04/2024 Duración: 20minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Jamila Trimuel, Founder and CEO of Ladies of Virtue, an organization dedicated to empowering young girls in Chicago. They discuss the critical role of fundraising events within their overall strategy. Initially, their annual "Leading with Virtue Cocktail Reception" accounted for up to 50% of their budget, raising around $200,000 through corporate sponsorships, ticket sales, and auctions. While still important, the event now contributes 10-20% of their budget, signaling a strategic shift in fundraising tactics. Beyond the event itself, Ladies of Virtue emphasizes the significance of post-event donor engagement and stewardship. They maintain relationships through various means, including personal meetings, virtual events, and launching a monthly giving campaign. Their approach involves thanking and involving key stakeholders like the host committee and honorees, ensuring continued support and involvement beyond the event. Th
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Helping Your CEO Fundraise
07/04/2024 Duración: 15minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Ron Schiller, Founding Partner and Senior Consultant at Aspen Leadership Group. In a detailed exploration of the dynamics within nonprofit organizations, particularly between the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Development Officer (CDO), the podcast looks at the evolving landscape of fundraising and leadership. The discussion underscores the critical nature of the CEO-CDO partnership in not just propelling the organization's fundraising efforts but also in enhancing the job satisfaction of both roles. The dialogue reveals that successful fundraising is increasingly seen as a collaborative endeavor that demands a deep understanding and appreciation of each other’s capabilities, highlighting the shift towards a more integrated approach in leadership roles within the nonprofit sector. The podcast also sheds light on the changing expectations placed upon CEOs regarding their involvement in fundraising activities. It no
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Global Philanthropy Tracker
01/04/2024 Duración: 14minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Coco Xiaonan Kou, Managing Director of Research at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, who discusses the Global Philanthropy Tracker, a comprehensive research project. The Global Philanthropy Tracker aims to understand cross-border philanthropic outflows from 47 countries, covering various stages of economic development. Unlike traditional measures like official development aid, the Global Philanthropy Tracker compares philanthropic giving to other major financial resource flows, highlighting the increasing role of private philanthropy in addressing global societal issues. Coco explains that the Global Philanthropy Tracker's significance lies in its ability to quantify the impact of philanthropy on global development, showcasing its growth over the past decades. Despite challenges such as limited data availability, the research team's collaboration with international partners and thorough data collection methods ensur
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Why People Give: Reaching All Donors
24/03/2024 Duración: 15minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Otis Fulton, Ph.D., Vice President of Psychological Strategies at Turnkey, who discusses the intricate dynamics of donor motivations. He highlights a significant finding: engagement in nonprofits can positively impact life expectancy, underscoring the personal benefits donors derive from their involvement. Fulton challenges the conventional wisdom that giving is primarily driven by the organization's mission, asserting that donors are motivated by their own experiences and the social validation they receive from participating in charitable activities. Through his insights, he reveals the complexity of human behavior, emphasizing the role of social comparisons and the desire to maintain status within social groups as key drivers of charitable giving. Moreover, Fulton addresses the pressing issue of income inequality and its implications for fundraising efforts. He notes a concerning trend where lower-income individuals, de
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Philanthropy Outlook 2024
17/03/2024 Duración: 15minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Jon Bergdoll, Associate Director of Data Partnerships from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, who offers insights into the expected trends in charitable giving over the coming years. Jon discusses a study that looks at the intricate relationship between economic factors and philanthropic behaviors. While emphasizing the importance of fostering strong donor relationships, the discussion highlights the significant influence of economic indicators, such as wealth metrics and personal income levels, on shaping charitable contributions. The study forecasts a 4% growth in total charitable giving for both 2024 and 2025, adjusting for inflation, indicating stability in the philanthropic landscape despite recent economic fluctuations. Notably, foundations are expected to experience robust growth, driven by the expansion of their asset bases. Projections suggest a substantial increase in foundation grants by
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Attracting New Donors
10/03/2024 Duración: 18minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Mark Ottoni-Wilhelm, Ph.D., professor of philanthropic studies at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, who discusses the pressing issue of declining charitable giving in the United States, especially among younger demographics. The episode covers an experiment researchers conducted using fundraising materials from a nonprofit organization to measure the effectiveness of different messaging strategies in attracting new donors and retaining existing ones. The experiment compared the impact of two main messaging strategies: a video showcasing the nonprofit's work and an email describing the hardships faced by its clients. Results revealed that the video message was significantly more effective in increasing donor connections, particularly among women, while the email's impact was negligible. Importantly, the study highlights the need for fundraisers to be mindful of unintentionally evoking negative f
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Higher Fundraising By Developing Community
03/03/2024 Duración: 19minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Katrina VanHuss, Founder and Partner at Turnkey. Katrina highlights the critical shift away from transactional donor interactions towards fostering genuine connections among donors themselves, emphasizing the need to move beyond one-way communication models. The conversation underscores the common oversight in nonprofit strategies, where considerable resources are invested in communicating with donors but little attention is given to enabling donors to engage with each other. Katrina explains the profound impact of community-building efforts, which not only deepen donor engagement but also foster trust and loyalty towards the organization and its mission. Drawing on examples like Relay for Life, the episode illustrates how nurturing a sense of community among donors can lead to significant fundraising success and provide invaluable support to individuals facing personal challenges. The episode advocates for a strategic sh
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The Deplorable State Of Donor Retention
25/02/2024 Duración: 18minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Jay Love, Co-Founder and current Chief Relationship Officer of Bloomerang. Jay emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing donor stewardship to improve retention rates. He suggests personalized approaches such as handwritten thank-you notes and phone calls, as well as involving board members in expressing gratitude to donors. Additionally, Jay stresses the significance of recognizing donors of all gift sizes, as major donors, although constituting a small percentage, provide the majority of funds. By implementing comprehensive stewardship strategies, organizations can build stronger relationships with donors and mitigate donor fatigue. The episode highlights the nonprofit sector's deplorable state with an average retention rate of only 43-44%, significantly lower than what is required for commercial businesses to thrive. This discrepancy is attributed to various factors, including high turnover rates among fundraising profess
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What Are Donors Thinking
19/02/2024 Duración: 17minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Erinn Andrews, the founder and CEO of GiveTeam, a consulting firm specializing in philanthropic advising. Andrews identifies a crucial gap in the philanthropic advising profession, particularly in supporting donors in the top 2 to 10% bracket. While much attention is given to the top 1% of donors, those in the slightly lower bracket often lack tailored support despite their significant contributions. Recognizing this opportunity, Andrews established GiveTeam to cater to the needs of this segment and unlock their hidden generosity. Andrews explains GiveTeam's advising model, which focuses on guiding donors through a reflective process to develop a charitable mission statement aligned with their values. Additionally, the team assists in structuring financial strategies and presents nonprofit options based on donors' priorities. By addressing the challenges donors face in strategic giving, GiveTeam aims to empower them to mak
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Fundraising Campaigns: For The Right Reason
11/02/2024 Duración: 23minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Gene Tempel, Ed.D. to discuss the foundational aspects that drive the success of nonprofit fundraising efforts. Central to the discussion is the concept of the "case for support," which underscores the necessity for nonprofits to articulate a clear and compelling rationale for their fundraising initiatives. This rationale is not just a narrative but a strategic alignment of the organization's mission with societal needs, serving as the cornerstone for both annual and capital campaigns. The emphasis is on the importance of this case for support, especially in capital campaigns, where the urgency and scope of fundraising are magnified to meet specific organizational expansions, such as new facilities or equipment, which directly address pressing societal needs. The conversation broadens the understanding of capital campaigns, challenging the notion that they are exclusive to large entities like universities or hospitals. It
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Fundraising When Leadership Changes
04/02/2024 Duración: 16minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Gasby Brown. They explore the critical topic of succession planning in the realm of fundraising. The discussion centers on the challenges organizations face when key leaders, such as the chief executive officer or chief development officer, depart, leaving behind important donor relationships. The central theme is how to ensure a smooth transition and maintain fundraising efforts during leadership changes. Gasby Brown emphasizes that succession planning should be a proactive and strategic process, not a reactive replacement of leaders. It involves identifying and nurturing potential leaders from within the organization, ensuring a strong bench of capable individuals who can step up when needed. Brown also stresses the importance of ethical practices, emphasizing that donors support the mission of the organization, not individual leaders. She recommends sharing donor information with the team and introducing them to donors
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Hispanics And Philanthropy
28/01/2024 Duración: 15minIn this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Hilda Vega, Vice President of Hispanics and Philanthropy. The organization, celebrating its 40th anniversary, commissioned a significant study through the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. The study, titled "Latinx Philanthropy: Understanding Generosity Trends Across Latinx Communities in the United States," aimed to refresh and deepen the understanding of Latino donors' roles in philanthropy. This comprehensive study was designed to answer frequent questions about the philanthropic behaviors and challenges of Latinx communities and to contribute to the broader understanding of philanthropy's diversity and evolution. The study brought to light several critical findings about Latinx philanthropy. It revealed that Latinx donors, like donors across the U.S., often give based on their values, family connections, and community needs. The research provided a unique blend of quantitative data and qualitative